Folding table



April 19,1927. 1.65394 4 W. L. WHITESIDES FOLDING TABLE Filed March 23,1925 Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UNITE STATES WALTER LUNSFRED WHITESIDES, OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed March 23, 1925. Serial up. 17,739.

My invention aims to provide an exceptionally simple and inexpensivefolding table which is designed primarily as a toy, but may if desiredbe constructed in larger sizes for other uses.

lVith the foregoing in View, the invention resides in the novel subjectmatter hereinafter described and claimed, the description beingsupplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table extended for use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which thetable may be folded.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of a por tion of the table top or theshelf beneath the same.

In the drawing above briefiydescribed, the numerals 1 designate a pairof duplicate end frames, each comprising two vertical legs 2, and upperand lower bars 3 and 4 connecting them. In the preferred form ofconstruction, each frame 1 is stamped from a sheet metal plate, givingthe legs and the connecting bars 3 and 4: the desired contour, and uponthe connecting lines between said legs and bars, the metal plate is bentso that the legs are positioned in planes at right angles to the planein which the bars 3 and 4 are disposed.

Extending between the end frames 1 and contacting with the straightlower edges of the bars 3 and 1 respectively, are a table top 5 and a.shelf 6, each of which is formed of two sections 7 and 8 hing-edtogether in a novel manner hereinafter described. The end portions ofthe top and shelf 5 and 6 are pivoted to the legs 2 on transversehorizontal axes, this being preferably effected by providing said topand said shelf with integral laterally extending studs 9 which arereceived in openings 10 in the legs.

The sections 7 and 8 are preferably formed of sheet metal plates and theinner ends of these plates are formed with alternate, projecting fingerportions or tongues 11, and

with hinge knuckles 12 at the inner ends of said finger portions ortongues. These knuckles are disposed at the lower sides of the plates 7and 8, and they receive a pintle 13. The tongues or finger portions 11overlap the upper sides of the sections 7 and 8, and said sectionspreferably have downwardly stamped portions providing shallow recesses 11 which receive said tongues or finger portions so that they will beflush with the upper sides of the top 5 and shelf 6.

By providing the novel construction shown and described, the table willbe rigid when it is extended for use as shown in Fig. 1, the projectingtongues or finger portions 11 then preventing the central portions ofthe top 5 and shelf 6 from sagging. Moreover, as the pivots 9 areinwardly spaced from the bars 3 and 4: and the latter abut the uppersides of the sections 7 and 8, this association also assists in holdingthe top 5 and shelf 6 against sagging, as well as generally bracing theentire structure.

The device is exceptionally simple and inexpensive and may be formedentirely of sheet metal. The two end frames 1 are duplicates so that oneset of dies will suflice for the construction of any required number ofsuch frames. Similarly, the top 5 and the shelf 6 are of duplicateconstruction with the same advantages.

As excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, they areby preference followed. However, within the scope of the invention asclaimed, modifications may of course be made.

I claim 1. In a foldable table; two legs at each end of the table, anupper transverse bar and a lower transverse bar connecting the legs ateach end of the table, said bars having straight lower edges, twohingedly connected top sections and two hingedly connected shelfsections having their outer ends passed between the legs at the ends ofthe table, said top sections and shelf sections passing under said upperand lower bars respectively and contacting with said straight loweredges thereof, said bars then forming cheeks at the end portions of thetable top and shelf to retain articles thereon, and means inwardlyspaced from the ends of said top sections and said shelf sections andpivoting them to said legs on horizontal transverse axes which areinwardly spaced horizontally from the inner opposed sides of said upperand lower bars, tendency of said sections to tilt downwardly about theirpivots being resisted by contact of said sections with said straightlower edges of said bars on lines outwardly spaced from the pivotal axesof the sections.

2. In a foldable table; a sheet metal plate having a central tongueprojecting longitudinally from one of its ends and having said endrolled downwardly and inwardly at the longitudinal edges ol the tongueto provide hinge knuckles which extend trans versely from the tongue tothe longitudinal edges of the plate, a complementary sheet metal platehaving a central notch in one end of a Width at least equal to the widthof the tongue the metal at the inner end of said notch being rolleddownwardly and inwardly to provide a third transverse hinge knuckle anda pintle passing through the three hinge knuckles to hingedly connectthe two plates, the portion or portions ol. each plate projectinginu'ardh beyond the hinge knuckles, resting upon the top of" the otherplate at the inner end portion of the. latter, each of said tops havinga shallow depression or depressions pressed therein to receive saidportion or portions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto attixed my signature.

WALTER LUNSFRED WHITESIDES.

